Improvisation – Past Concerts
Saint Mark’s Music Series: All Bach on the Flentrop Organ
Friday, May 13, 2022 @ 7:30pm – 9:00pm (PDT)
Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle, WA, United States
Online and in-person
Organist/Seattle Baroque Orchestra Music Director Alexander Weimann performs selections by J.S. Bach & brief improvisations on Saint Mark's mighty Flentrop organ, in this much-awaited performance delayed twice by the pandemic.
$20 ($15 senior)
Seattle Symphony: Ragamala – A Journey into Hindustani Music
Friday, March 18, 2022 @ 8:00pm – 10:00pm (PDT)
Octave 9 at Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA, United States
Inspired improvisation blends with new composition, as Composer in Residence Reena Esmail curates an evening with virtuoso Indian violinist Kala Ramnath & members of the Seattle Symphony.
Ticket price TBD
Celebrity Series of Boston: Conrad Tao, piano
Wednesday, December 1, 2021 @ 5:00pm – 6:15pm (PST)
Online and in-person
Conrad Tao & John Adams – Improvisation / China Gates
Jason Eckardt – Antennaria plantaginifolia, "Pussytoes"
Johann Sebastian Bach & Conrad Tao – Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV 641 / Improvisation
Robert Schumann – Kinderszenen ("Scenes from Childhood"), Op. 15
Conrad Tao – Keyed In (Boston premiere)
Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 110
Jason Eckardt – Antennaria plantaginifolia, "Pussytoes"
Johann Sebastian Bach & Conrad Tao – Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV 641 / Improvisation
Robert Schumann – Kinderszenen ("Scenes from Childhood"), Op. 15
Conrad Tao – Keyed In (Boston premiere)
Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 110
Online: $18-$20 | In person: $10 obstructed view
Wayward Music Series: Seattle Phonographers Union
Saturday, November 20, 2021 @ 8:00pm – 10:00pm (PST)
The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle, WA, United States
Collective improvisation using only unprocessed field recordings, exploring the ways in which we recognize, differentiate, map, & navigate our sonic environment.
$5-$15 donation
Roulette: Bob Bellerue – 'Radioactive Desire'
Wednesday, November 17, 2021 @ 5:00pm – 7:00pm (PST)
Online and in-person
Experience a multidimensional sound world in this public premiere of Bob Bellerue's Radioactive Desire, a work for 6 improvising chamber musicians whose sounds are fed into a menagerie of unusual speaker systems.
Free (Free ($20-$25 in person))
Wayward Music Series: Neil Welch
Thursday, November 11, 2021 @ 7:30pm – 9:30pm (PST)
The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle, WA, United States
Performance celebrating saxophonist/composer Neil Welch’s new album, featuring composer/performer Nat Evans; a work for solo saxophone; & an 11-member ensemble performing Welch's Concepción Picciotto.
$10-$20 at the door
[CANCELLED] Wayward Music Series: Beetlebox
Saturday, November 6, 2021 @ 6:00pm – 8:00pm (PDT)
The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle, WA, United States
Electroacoustic music from composer/keyboardist Beetlebox, featuring live piano sounds intricately intertwined with homemade software synthesizers & interactive computer accompaniment.
$5-$15 suggested donation
International Contemporary Ensemble: TargetMargin@7 – Nov 5
Friday, November 5, 2021 @ 4:00pm – 5:00pm (PDT)
Online and in-person
ICE members showcase their work with Nicholas Houfek’s ColorSynth, a software interface that converts musical pitches into color & light. Find improvisation, synthesizers, & more in this audiovisual smorgasbord.
Free (Free (RSVP required))
NIGHTLIGHT: Harvest Moon
Saturday, October 23, 2021 @ 8:00pm – 11:00pm (PDT)
Machine House Brewery, Seattle, WA, United States
Equal parts full moon ritual, performance, & dance party. Artists Leanna Keith, Moonyeka, & Opulent Witch present this event offering people a chance to indulge their desire to party, transmute, manifest, & dance hard.
$10-$30
Our House is On Fire
Thursday, October 7, 2021 @ 5:30pm – 7:00pm (PDT)
Online and in-person
Livestreamed concert of world premieres urging immediate action to address the global climate crisis, featuring an interdisciplinary team of composers, poets, performers, & sound designers from across the US.
Free (Free)
Roulette: Robert Dick & Ursel Schlicht – Flute & Piano Redefined—Again!
Wednesday, October 6, 2021 @ 5:00pm – 7:00pm (PDT)
Online and in-person
The long-standing duo of Robert Dick (Glissando Flute, bass flute, contrabass flute, & piccolo) & Ursel Schlicht (piano – both on the keyboard, & inside the instrument) premieres new music that seeks to expand the sound world of their instrumental configuration.
Free (Free ($20-$25 in person))
Ear Taxi Festival Mainstage Concerts: Elenna Sindler & Hasco Duo
Monday, October 4, 2021 @ 9:00am – 9:45am (PDT)
Online and in-person
Hasco Duo joins vocalist/composer/songwriter Elenna Sindler for a presentation of Elenna's songs – immersing Elenna's sophisticated pop sensibility & narrative vision in Hasco's psychedelic & dreamy soundworld.
Free (Free)
Ear Taxi Festival Mainstage Concerts: Fat Pigeon, with Daniel Robles Lizano
Friday, October 1, 2021 @ 2:30pm – 3:15pm (PDT)
Online and in-person
Collective improvisation performance from Fat Pigeon (Emily Beisel, bass clarinet; Luis Fernando Amaya, percussion; Craig Davis Pinson, electric guitar) with visual art from Daniel Robles Lizano.
Free (Free)
Desert Fantasy/Hyaline/Eat Your Greens
Sunday, September 26, 2021 @ 7:30pm – 10:30pm (PDT)
The Royal Room, Seattle, WA, United States
Triple bill featuring electroacoustic percussion act Desert Fantasy; genre-bending trio Hyaline; & electronic vibraphone/drumset duo Eat Your Greens.
$10 advance ($7 students, $12 doors)
Wayward Music Series: Erin Jorgensen + Kyle Hanson
Thursday, September 23, 2021 @ 7:30pm – 9:30pm (PDT)
The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle, WA, United States
Double bill: Non-traditional accordionist Kyle Hanson showcases unique, "shimmering" performance techniques. Marimbist Erin Jorgensen performs a semi-improvisatory, meditative set full of good vibes.
$5-$15 suggested donation
Roulette: Anna Webber’s Simple Trio // Idiom VI Large Ensemble
Thursday, September 23, 2021 @ 5:00pm – 7:00pm (PDT)
Online and in-person
Woodwind player/composer Anna Webber performs works from her recent release, Idiom, featuring both her long-standing Simple Trio & a new large ensemble made up of jazz improvisors & contemporary classical music specialists.
Free (Free ($20-$25 in person))
Wayward Music Series: Right Brain Music Minifest
Saturday, September 18, 2021 @ 7:30pm – 9:30pm (PDT)
The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle, WA, United States
1-night explosion of improvised music, featuring local virtuosos & spontaneous jams that will stretch your imagination.
$5-$15 donation
Mary Halvorson: Amaryllis & Belladonna
Thursday, September 9, 2021 @ 5:00pm – 7:00pm (PDT)
Online and in-person
2 new composition projects by guitarist/composer/MacArthur fellow Mary Halvorson: Belladonna, featuring Halvorson with the Mivos String Quartet; & Amaryllis, for improvising sextet.
Free (Free (in-person ticket price TBD))
Mary Halvorson: Amaryllis & Belladonna
Wednesday, September 8, 2021 @ 5:00pm – 7:00pm (PDT)
Online and in-person
2 new composition projects by guitarist/composer/MacArthur fellow Mary Halvorson: Belladonna, featuring Halvorson with the Mivos String Quartet; & Amaryllis, for improvising sextet.
Free (Free (in-person ticket price TBD))
Wayward Music Series: Seattle Phonographers Union + Tom Varner’s Sound Vespers
Saturday, August 7, 2021 @ 8:00pm – 10:00pm (PDT)
The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle, WA, United States
Double bill featuring sets by the sound recordist collective Phonographers Union, & jazz French hornist Tom Varner.
$5-$15 suggested donation
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